Singles Collection Vol. 3

Singles Collection Vol. 4

Singles Collection Vol. 4

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Album Details

Singles Collection Vol. 4
The final volume in this retrospective four box set was released by EMI/Parlophone.
The closing chapter to the entire history of Queen’s worldwide singles releases, Volume 4 tracks the band’s output through the latter years of 1989 to 1999.
Together, the four volume set offers over 100 tracks chronicling Queen’s extraordinary journey through the world-wide singles charts: from the very first single Keep Yourself Alive in 1973, to the very last single in 1999.
And what a spectacular journey Queen made: no less that 14 out of the 16 A-sides in this set reached top 10 worldwide.
Added extras which are likely to be of particularly special interest are Queen Talks, a collage of interview snippets (randomly strung together for comical affect) from various band interviews, live versions of Stone Cold Crazy recorded in London in 1974, and Rock In Rio Blues, a unique live concert recording from the Rock In Rio festival in Brazil in 1985.
Queen began the period by delivering another number 1 album, The Miracle. It gave the band five UK chart singles of which the last to be released, the album title track, which came in November 1989, opens this collection.
The ten years covered here, 1989 to 1999, follow an especially eventful and challenging period in the band’s history. The band was already aware of Freddie’s HIV positive diagnosis, and they were all aware that the clock was ticking against them. Yet, in spite of the events surrounding the band - and most would guess as a rearguard action - Queen remarkably found the means to maintain their new found unity - by now all songs were credited to Queen rather than individual writers - and move forward to produce another strong album. By February 1991, under two years after the release of The Miracle, the band delivered their 14th and last true band studio album, Innuendo.
The title track became the band’s first number 1 single since Under Pressure a decade earlier, and was a masterwork of grandiose to match Bohemian Rhapsody. Four further singles from the album followed, including the guitar driven Headlong, the deliciously high camp, I’m Going Slightly Mad, and a song that was to become the one most often played in memory to Freddie, The Show Must Go On, a song marked in history as the last released before Freddie’s death.
Freddie’s death on November 24, robbed the world of one of its greatest showmen and musical talents, but did not silence his voice. In his final days, Freddie, despite being very ill, had continued writing and recording whenever he could manage to do so. In the following four years after his passing, Brian, John and Roger set about reassembling the material that Freddie had left behind, some of it only fragments of uncompleted songs, but they would also find the painfully telling A Winter’s Tale, the very last song Freddie wrote.
A Winter’s Tale was among ten tracks to make up Queen’s last studio based album, Made In Heaven, released in November 1995. Including a handful of live recordings and two hits compilations, it was Queen’s 20th album.
The album was launched with the single version of Heaven For Everyone, a song which had first appeared on Roger Taylor’s The Cross Shove It album and to which in 1987 Freddie had contributed the vocal. This reworking of the track gave the band a number 2 single in the UK and a top ten single around the world. The album itself would top the charts across the world becoming one of their biggest selling albums.
Freddie’s swansong composition A Winter’s Tale provided a second hit single from the album as a special seasonal Christmas release in December 1995.
Brian May's co-written Too Much Love Will Kill You, a song May had originally recorded himself on his 1992 Back To the Light album, and here delivered by Freddie digging deep into his emotions, produced the album’s third top 20 hit, and earned Brian May and his co-writers an Ivor Novello award for both music and lyrics.
Another note of interest in this box set is the inclusion of two further double A sided singles (the first was in Box 3): Too Much Love Will Kill You backed with Queen’s reworking of Freddie’s 1985 solo track I Was Born To Love You, which became a band number 1 hit in Japan in 2004, eight years after its original release.
The other double A is Let Me Live, with lead vocals shared by Freddie, Brian and Roger, which gave the band a top 10 single in the UK, backed with live versions of We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions from the Live At Wembley '86 album - a hit in Holland in 1992 and released as a single in its own right.
Made In Heaven delivered the band five hit singles. The last, released a year after the album, in November 1996, was the album’s most playful track You Don’t Fool Me – a hypnotic dance floor groove which became a massive Euro club hit. The track continues to be one of Queen’s most regularly remixed tracks, even today. The CD single included here pairs the single edit version with the original album version.
Going against the premise that this 4 box set compilation should not duplicate any song, an exception was made to include again in volume 4 Bohemian Rhapsody, included in this volume for the reason of historical context. Here the track features as one side of the double A sided single released in 1991 with These Are The Days Of Our Lives after Freddie’s death and issued as a charity single to raise funds to support HIV AIDS, the cause behind Freddie’s passing. The single returned the band to number 1 in the UK and throughout the world, and provided the foundation funds for the setting up of The Mercury Phoenix Trust, the HIV AIDS charity which continues to provide help and support to individuals and AIDS projects world-wide.
The remaining members of Queen returned to the studio to record together one last time in 1997 for what would be their final band single: No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young).
The song had been written by Brian as a personal response to the deaths of not only Freddie, but also HRH Princess Diana and Gianni Versace which had quickly followed each other, and which Brian had intended to record for his next solo album. But after playing the track to Roger the decision was taken to bring Queen back together to record the song as a dedication to those who had ‘left before their time’. The track was released in the UK in January 1998 as a double A side with Tie Your Mother Down.
In 1999 the third instalment of Queen's Greatest Hits trilogy was released by EMI, reaching platinum status around the world. The compilation gave rise to the last single to carry the Queen name, a specially remixed version of the 1981 hit Queen shared with David Bowie, Under Pressure.
Reaching number 14 in the UK, this 'Rah mix' is a radio edit of the album version. Also included is a Mike Spencer mix from the time.
The Queen Singles 4 box closes in appropriate style – perhaps exactly as Freddie himself might have demanded – with a rare recording featuring the great man himself, at the event that proved to be Queen's very final concert: a live version of Under Pressure from Queen’s mammoth open air Knebworth Park performance on August 9 1986, at the end of which Freddie would say; “Thank you lovely people, you’ve been a wonderful audience. God bless you. Good night, thank you”.
Fitting words to borrow from Freddie to sign off the final chapter of this impeccably researched and produced Queen collection.

Did You Know?

1. Only compilation to feature the top ten hit A Winters Tale
2. Two No.1s from 1991 included Innuendo and These Are The Days Of Our Lives
3. The infamous Rik Rubin version of We Will Rock You is here.
4. Rare live performances of Stone Cold Crazy from their memorable 1974 Rainbowe concert is available here.
5. Last release by EMI and closes the entire history of Queens worldwide single releases.

Lyrics

1. The Miracle

Every drop of rain that falls
In Sahara desert says it all - it's a miracle
All God's creations great and small
The Golden Gate and the Taj Mahal - that's a miracle
Test tube babies being born
Mothers, fathers dead and gone - it's a miracle
We're having a miracle on earth
Mother nature does it all for us
The wonders of this world go on
The hanging gardens of Babylon
Captain Cook and Cain and Abel
Jimi Hendrix to the tower of Babel
It's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle
The one thing we're all waiting for
Is peace on earth an end to war
It's a miracle we need the miracle
The miracle we're all waiting for today
If every leaf on every tree could tell a story
That would be a miracle
If every child on every street had clothes to wear and food to eat
That's a miracle
If all God's people could be free, to live in perfect harmony
It's a miracle
We're having a miracle on earth
Mother nature does it all for us
(The wonders of this world go on)
Open hearts and surgery, Sunday mornings with a cup of tea
Super powers always fighting, but Mona Lisa just keeps on smiling
It's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle
(The wonders of this world go on)
Well it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle, it's a miracle
The one thing (the one thing) we're all waiting for
Is peace on earth (peace on earth) and an end to war (end to war)
It's a miracle we need, the miracle, the miracle
Peace on earth and end to war today
That time will come, one day you'll see, when we can all be friends
That time will come, one day you'll see, when we can all be friends
That time will come, one day you'll see, when we can all be friends
That time will come, one day you'll see, when we can all be friends

1. Heaven For Everyone (Single Version)

This could be heaven, this could be heaven
This could be heaven, this could be heaven
This could be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven, this could be heaven
This could be heaven, this could be heaven for everyone
In these days of cool reflection (reflection)
You come to me and everything seems alright
In these days of cold affections
You sit by me and everything's fine
This could be heaven for everyone
This world could be fed, this world could be fun
This could be heaven for everyone
This world could be free, this world could be one
In this world of cool deception
Just your smile can smooth my ride
These troubled days of cruel rejection, hmm
You come to me, soothe my troubled mind
Yeah, this could be heaven for everyone
This world could be fed, (yeah) this world could be fun
This should be love for everyone, yeah
This world should be free, (yeah) this world could be one
We should bring love to our daughters and sons
Love, love, love, this could be heaven for everyone
You know that this could be heaven for everyone yes
This could be heaven for everyone, yea he he he woh
Heaven for everyone
Listen, what people do to other souls
They take their lives destroy their goals
Their basic pride and dignity
Is stripped and torn and shown no pity
When this should be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven, this could be heaven
This could be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven wooh
Could be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven, this could be heaven
This could be heaven, could be heaven for everyone
This could be heaven, this could be heaven

1. You Don't Fool Me (Edit)

You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me
You don't fool me those pretty eyes
That sexy smile you don't fool me
You don't rule me you're no surprise
You're telling lies hey, you don't fool me
Mama said be careful of that girl
Mama said you know that she's no good
Mama said be cool, don't you be no fool
Yup bup ba ba ba ba da da da dah
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me, she'll take you
You don't fool me, and break you
You don't fool me, and break you
Sooner or later you'll be playing by her rules
Baby you don't fool me, yeah
You don't fool me, you don't have to say "don't mind"
You don't have to teach me things I know
Sooner or later you'll be playing by her rules
Oh (fool you) oh (rule you) she'll take you (take you)
And break you (break you) - yeah
Mama said be cool
Mama said she'll take you for a fool
She'll take you and break you
Ba ba ba ba ba bah bah bah da da dah dah dah
You don't fool me

1. No-One But You

1. Under Pressure (Rah Mix - Radio Edit)

Pressure pushing down on me, pressing down on you, no man ask for Under pressure, that burns a building down, splits a family in two Puts people on streets Um ba ba be, um ba ba be, de day da, ee day da that's okay It's the terror of knowing what the world is about Watching some good friends screaming "let me out" Pray tomorrow gets me higher Pressure on people, people on streets Day day de mm hm, da da da ba ba, okay Chippin' around, kick my brains around the floor These are the days, it never rains but it pours Ee do ba be, ee da ba ba ba, um bo bo, be lap People on streets ee da de da de People on streets ee da de da de da de da It's the terror of knowing what this world is about Watching some good friends screaming 'let me out' Pray tomorrow gets me higher high high Pressure on people people on streets Turned away from it all like a blind man Sat on a fence but it don't work Keep coming up with love but it's so slashed and torn Why why why ?, love love love love love Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking Can't we give ourselves one more chance Why can't we give love that one more chance Why can't we give love give love give love give love Give love give love give love give love give love Cause love's such an old fashioned word And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night And loves dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves This is our last dance, this is our last dance, this is ourselves Under pressure, under pressure, pressure

2. Stone Cold Crazy (Live)

Sleeping very soundly on a saturday morning
I was dreaming I was al capone
There's a rumour going round
Gotta clear outa town
Im smelling like a dry fish bone
Here come the law gonna break down the door
Gonna carry me away once more
Never never I never want it anymore
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy stone cold crazy you know
Rainy afternoon I gotta blow a typhoon
And Im playing on my slide trombone
Anymore anymore cannot take it anymore
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy stone cold crazy you know
Walking down the street
Shooting people that I meet
With my rubber tommy water gun
Here come the deputy
Hes gonna come and get me
I gotta get me up and run
They got the sirens loose
I ran right outa juice
They're gonna put me in a cell
If I can't go to heaven
Will they let me go to hell?
Crazy stone cold crazy you know

2. Queen Talks

2. Rock in Rio Blues

Let's play the rock in Rio blues baby
We've come to do rock in Rio with you baby
Eh yeah yeah
Woh!
Rock in Rio night baby
It's rock in Rio night
Ah ah aye
Everybody's having - eeeh woooh
Oh oh oh oh
Woooh woh woh woh wah
Get in to the rock in Rio business hey
Rockin!
Ah
m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m woooh waaah
Yeah hey hey
m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-m-ah
Baby I like it
Woooh wooh woh woh woh woh woh woh woh
Yeah
Wooh
This song was especially for you music lovers
All you rock in Rio people
Thankyou very much

2. We Will Rock You (Live)

Buddy you're a boy make a big noise playin' in the street
Gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on your face, you big disgrace
Kickin' your can all over the place
Singing we will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Buddy you're a young man hard man shouting in the street
Gonna take on the world some day
You got blood on your face, you big disgrace
Waving your banner all over the place
We will we will rock you, sing it
We will we will rock you
Buddy you're an old man poor man pleadin' with your eyes
Gonna make you some peace some day
You got mud on your face, big disgrace
Somebody betta put you back in your place
We will we will rock you, sing it
We will we will rock you, everybody
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you - alright

2. You Don't Fool Me (Album Version)

You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me
You don't fool me those pretty eyes
That sexy smile you don't fool me
You don't rule me you're no surprise
You're telling lies hey, you don't fool me
Mama said be careful of that girl
Mama said you know that she's no good
Mama said be cool, don't you be no fool
Yup bup ba ba ba ba da da da dah
You don't fool me, you don't fool me
You don't fool me, she'll take you
You don't fool me, and break you
You don't fool me, and break you
Sooner or later you'll be playing by her rules
Baby you don't fool me, yeah
You don't fool me, you don't have to say "don't mind"
You don't have to teach me things I know
Sooner or later you'll be playing by her rules
Oh (fool you) oh (rule you) she'll take you (take you)
And break you (break you) - yeah
Mama said be cool
Mama said she'll take you for a fool
She'll take you and break you
Ba ba ba ba ba bah bah bah da da dah dah dah
You don't fool me

2. We Will Rock You (The Rick Rubin 'Ruined' Remix)

Buddy you're a boy make a big noise playin' in the street
Gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on your face, you big disgrace
Kickin' your can all over the place
Singing we will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Buddy you're a young man hard man shouting in the street
Gonna take on the world some day
You got blood on your face, you big disgrace
Waving your banner all over the place
We will we will rock you, sing it
We will we will rock you
Buddy you're an old man poor man pleadin' with your eyes
Gonna make you some peace some day
You got mud on your face, big disgrace
Somebody betta put you back in your place
We will we will rock you, sing it
We will we will rock you, everybody
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you - alright

2. Under Pressure (Mike Spencer Remix)

Pressure pushing down on me, pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure, that burns a building down, splits a family in two
Puts people on streets
Um ba ba be, um ba ba be, de day da, ee day da that's okay
It's the terror of knowing what the world is about
Watching some good friends screaming "let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets
Day day de mm hm, da da da ba ba, okay
Chippin' around, kick my brains around the floor
These are the days, it never rains but it pours
Ee do ba be, ee da ba ba ba, um bo bo, be lap
People on streets ee da de da de
People on streets ee da de da de da de da
It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming 'let me out'
Pray tomorrow gets me higher high high
Pressure on people people on streets
Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence but it don't work
Keep coming up with love but it's so slashed and torn
Why why why ?, love love love love love
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
Can't we give ourselves one more chance
Why can't we give love that one more chance
Why can't we give love give love give love give love
Give love give love give love give love give love
Cause love's such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night
And loves dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance, this is our last dance, this is ourselves
Under pressure, under pressure, pressure

3. We Are The Champions (Live)

I've paid my dues time after time
I've done my sentence, but committed no crime
And bad mistakes, I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through
And we mean to go on and on and on and on
We are the champions my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions, we are the champions
No time for losers, coz we are the champions of the world
I've taken my bows and my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune
And everything that goes with it - I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses, no pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose
And we mean to go on and on and on and on
We are the champions my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions, we are the champions
No time for losers, coz we are the champions of the world
We are the champions my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions, we are the champions
No time for losers, coz we are the champions

3. The Prize (Instrumental Remix for The Eye)

3. Under Pressure (Live At Knebworth)

Pressure pushing down on me, pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure, that burns a building down, splits a family in two
Puts people on streets
Um ba ba be, um ba ba be, de day da, ee day da that's okay
It's the terror of knowing what the world is about
Watching some good friends screaming "let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets
Day day de mm hm, da da da ba ba, okay
Chippin' around, kick my brains around the floor
These are the days, it never rains but it pours
Ee do ba be, ee da ba ba ba, um bo bo, be lap
People on streets ee da de da de
People on streets ee da de da de da de da
It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming 'let me out'
Pray tomorrow gets me higher high high
Pressure on people people on streets
Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence but it don't work
Keep coming up with love but it's so slashed and torn
Why why why ?, love love love love love
Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
Can't we give ourselves one more chance
Why can't we give love that one more chance
Why can't we give love give love give love give love
Give love give love give love give love give love
Cause love's such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night
And loves dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance, this is our last dance, this is ourselves
Under pressure, under pressure, pressure